Oscillating roll for printing presses

ABSTRACT

In an ink train of printing press rolls, means for oscillating the central distribution roll thereof along its rotation axis includes an offset groove defining an inner race on the central roll axle, ring means having an annular groove therein defining an outer race and facing the offset groove, the ring means being mounted for rotation about the central roll axle, a ball member located between the inner and outer races, means rotating the ring means at a first rate of rotation and means rotating the central roll axle at a second rate of rotation different from the first rotational rate whereby the central roll is oscillated along its rotation axis within a wide range of oscillation ratios as the ball member both rotates and revolves about the central roll axle.

'tted States Patent 1 1 1 1 3,815,498 Hart-0d June 11, 1974 [5 OSCILLATING ROLL FOR PRINTING 3,110,253 11/1963 DuBois 101/348 PRESSES 3,348,480 10/1967 Bottac ct a1. 101/349 inventor: Jimmie A. Harrod, Durham, NH.

Moore Business Forms, Inc., Niagara Falls, NY.

Filed: June 11, 1973 Appl. No.: 368,624

Related U.S. Application Data Continuation-impart of Ser. No. 128,508, March 26, 1971, abandoned, which is a division of Ser. No. 885,748, Dec. 17, 1969, Pat. No. 3,651,758.

Assignee:

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 12/1884 Gaccy 101/D1G. l4 4/1908 Sixt et al l01/D1G. l4 7/1908 Wilson l0l/DIG. l4 8/1920 Warner 101/348 Primary ExaminerJ. Reed Fisher Attorney, Agent, or Firm-Watson, Cole, Grindle &

Watson ABSTRACT In an ink train of printing press rolls, means for oscillating the central distribution roll thereof along its rotation axis includes an offset groove defining an inner race on the central roll axle, ring means having an annular groove therein defining an outer race and facing the offset groove, the ring means being mounted for rotation about the central roll axle, a ball member located between the inner and outer races, means rotating the ring means at a first rate of rotation and means rotating the central roll axle at a second rate of rotation different from the first rotational rate whereby the a central roll is oscillated along its rotation axis within a wide range of oscillation ratios as the ball member both rotates and revolves about the central roll axle.

3 Claims, 2 Drawing Figures PATENTEDJUH 1 1 m4 Bis-15498 sum HP 2 OSCILLATING ROLL FOR PRINTING PRESSES This application is a continuation-in-part of U.S. application Ser. No. 128,508, now abandoned, filed Mar. 26, 1971 as a Divisional application of US. application Ser. No. 885,748,1Tl6d Dec. 17, 1969, and now U.S. Pat. No. 3,651,758, dated Mar. 28, 1972. The entire disclosure of the parent application Ser. No. 885,748 is incorporated herein by reference.

This invention relates generally to rotary printing presses and more particularly to a means for oscillating the central distribution roll thereof.

Means have been provided in the past for oscillating one or more rolls of the rotary printing press so as to more evently distribute the ink film across each roll. One approach has been to use a worm and worm gear for transmitting axial movement to the oscillating roll. However, the elements thereof normally require continued maintenance and periodic replacement which only increases the probability of costly downtime for the equipment and additional expenses in operation. Another approach has been to provide an offset groove means mounted on the distribution roll axle and a ring member having a peripheral groove supporting a ball member for revolution within the grooves so that, upon relative rotation of either the axle or the ring member, the axle is made to oscillate along its rotation axis. However, the degree of oscillation with such mechanism is limited to the extent of the offset groove. The oscillatory movement of the axle and its roll is therefore somewhat abrupt and jerky.

In accordance with the present invention, a smooth and continuous oscillatory movement of the central distribution roll is made possible for smoothly and evenly distributing the ink film across the printing press rolls. Fewer moving parts are required whichnot only reduces the likelihood of extensive downtime of the equipment but also permits the axle to oscillate within a. wide range of oscillation ratios. This is the principal object of the present invention.

Another object is to provide a means for oscillating the central distribution roll wherein an offset peripheral groove is provided on the central roll axle, and a ball member is located between this offset groove and a grooved ring means surrounding the axle and capable of independent rotation with respect thereto, so that differential rotation of the axle and ring means effects an oscillatory movement of the central roll axle within a wide range of oscillation ratios as the ball member both rotates and revolves about the axle.

A further object of the present invention is to provide such an oscillating means wherein the ring means include a pair of ring members mounted together, each having an inner peripheral wall sloping inwardly toward oneanother to define an outer race for the ball memher.

A still further object of this invention is to provide such an oscillating means wherein the ring members may be adjusted toward and away from one another to vary the bearing force of the ball member against the walls of the offset grooves.

Other objects, advantages and novel features of the invention will become apparent from the followingdetailed description of the invention when taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings wherein:

FIG. 1 is a representative showing of a typical ink train of rolls, the central distribution roll of which is oscillated in accordance with the present invention; and

FIG. 2 is an upright sectional view of the central distribution roll showing the oscillator means in accordance with the present invention.

Turning now to the drawings wherein like reference characters refer to like and corresponding parts throughout the several views, there is shown in FIG. 1 a schematic representation of a typical ink distribution chain of rolls in a rotary printing press, the central distribution roll 10 of which being oscillated in accordance with the present invention as shown in FIG. 2. The central roll is mounted for rotation to be hereinafter described and distribution rolls 11 are mounted for rotation in contact with the central roll, while the rearwardmost distribution roll 11 is rotatably mounted in contact with the surface of transfer roll 13 designed in accordance with the invention under US. Pat. No. 3,651,758. Roll 13 lies adjacent a fountain roll 14 which is rotatably mounted within an ink fountain 15. At the other end of the array, a typical plate cylinder 16 is rotatably mounted in contact with two form rolls 12. The surfaces of the several rolls in the chain are alternately hard and soft so the fountain roll 14, distribution roll 11, central roll 10 and plate cylinder 16 may each have a metallic surface; while the distribution rolls 11, form rolls 12 and transfer roll 13 may each have a rubberized or polyurethane or other resilient surface,

as shown.

Central distribution roll 10 is shown in FIG. 2 as hav ing an axle 17 mounted betweenits ends within fixed side plate members l8, 19 of the printing press frame. The axle is so mounted for rotation about its longitudinal axis by means of bearings 20 and 20a, and a sprocket wheel 21 is securely keyed in any normal manner at one end of the axle for rotation therewith. A gear wheel 22 intermeshes with the teeth of sprocket wheel 21 and is driven by some suitable means (not shown). Accordingly, the central roll axle 17 may be rotated at some predetermined press speed in the customary manner. a

In accordance with the invention, a simple oscillating mechanism for the sun axle 17 of central distribution roll 10 includes an offset sun groove or ball race 23 similar to a barrel cam having a true pitch circle which contacts a single planetary ball 24, thus creating a ratio between pitch circles of the sun groove and planetary ball. The ball also makes contact with an outer annular groove or ball race 25 which also has a pitch diameter created by the angle of contact of the planetary ball. This angular contact may, as in the present invention. create another pitch circle about the planetary ball. Thus, the planetary ball has one pitch circle relative to the sun groove 23 and a different pitch circle relative to outer groove 25. The oscillation ratio of the sun groove is dependent upon the total of these ratios determining the planetary speed of the ball relative to the sun axle.

The offset sun groove 23 is formed by a pair of sidewalls 26 converging inwardly for a two-point reception of planetary ball member 24 which is mounted between a pair of ring members 27 having inner surfaces 28 converging inwardly toward one another as shown.

A sleeve member 29 houses two sets of bearings 20a, the sleeve member being mounted within a suitable opening 31 in side plate 19 for rotation independent of the sun axle by means of bearing units 32. A grease shield 33 for bearing units 32 is fixed in place on the sleeve member.

A sprocket wheel 34 is adjustably mounted on sleeve member 29 by means of adjustment screws 35. Ring members 27 are seated within annular cutout portions 36 and 37 respectively provided in members 29 and 34 for the retention of the ring members. A gear wheel 38 is mounted in meshing engagement with the teeth of sprocket wheel 34 and is independently driven by means (not shown) at some predetermined speed of rotation. Accordingly, gear wheel 38 may be rotated at a first rate of rotation for rotating connected members 29 and 34 along with ring members 27 mounted therein at a first speed of rotation. Sun axle 17 may be rotated through gear 22 and sprocket 21 atanother rotational speed different from the rate at which ring members 27 are rotated. Accordingly, central distribution roll and its axle 17 oscillate in directions shown by the doubie arrows, and infinite oscillation ratios can be established by the differential rotation of sun axle 17 and outer race 25 as planetary ball 24 both rotates and revolves about the axle. Such infinite ratios can also be established by compounding an offset outer race with the offset sun axle race. In the present invention, one complete oscillation occurs upon one revolution of planetary ball 24 around sun axle l7 producing an oscillation rate of approximately two sun axle revolutions to one complete oscillation depending on the size of devised for producing smooth oscillation of the central distribution roll. And, by reason of the differential speed in rotation between the inner and outer ball races, a wide range of oscillation ratios for the central distribution roll is made possible.

Obviously, many modifications and variations of the present invention are possible in the light of the above teachings. It is therefore to'be understood that within the scope of the appended claims, the invention may be practiced otherwise than as specifically described.

What is claimed is:

1. In an ink train of printing press rolls including a central distribution roll having an axle mounted for rotation on a frame, a peripheral groove provided on said axle and being offset in a longitudinal direction, a ball member mounted for movement within said groove and in contact with the sidewalls of said groove, ring means surrounding said axle and capable of rotation independentthereof, said ring means having a groove facing said offset groove and supporting said ball member, means for rotating said axle at a first rate of rotation, and means for rotating said ring means at a second rate of rotation different from said first rate of rotation, whereby said central roll is made to oscillate in an axial direction within a wide range of oscillation ratios as said ball member rotates and revolves about said axle.

2. In the ink train of printing press rolls according to claim 1, wherein said ring means include a pair of adjacent ring members mounted together and each having an inner peripheral wall sloping inwardly toward one another thereby defining said ring means groove.

3. in the ink trainof printing press rolls according to claim 2, wherein means are provided for adjusting said ring members toward and away from one another for respectively increasing and decreasing the bearing force of said ball member against said walls of said offset groove. 

1. In an ink train of printing press rolls including a central distribution roll having an axle mounted for rotation on a frame, a peripheral groove provided on said axle and being offset in a longitudinal direction, a ball member mounted for movement within said groove and in contact with the sidewalls of said groove, ring means surrounding said axle and capable of rotation independent thereof, said ring means having a groove facing said offset groove and supporting said ball member, means for rotating said axle at a first rate of rotation, and means for rotating said ring means at a second rate of rotation different from said first rate of rotation, whereby said central roll is made to oscillate in an axial direction within a wide range of oscillation ratios as said ball member rotates and revolves about said axle.
 2. In the ink train of printing press rolls according to claim 1, wherein said ring means include a pair of adjacent ring members mounted together and each having an inner peripheral wall sloping inwardly toward one another thereby defining said ring means groove.
 3. In the ink train of printing press rolls according to claim 2, wherein means are provided for adjusting said ring members toward and away from one another for respectively increasing and decreasing the bearing force of said ball member against said walls of said offset groove. 